TOWN markets have been hailed for their improved fortunes.

David Clough, retail and events manager, gave a positive report to Oswestry Town Council’s latest meeting.

In his report, he said: “The past three months have been a busy period in many ways.

“The outdoor markets have seen a number of promising new traders –19 in total – visiting both the Wednesday and Saturday markets, with the monthly Artisan Market remaining consistent throughout the summer.”

The Markets and Town Centre Committee heard the average weekly income from April to August for the Wednesday Market was £211, compared to £155 last year.

There were 11 traders for the first market in April, as opposed to 22 in August.

Artisan Market traders recorded a weekly income of £279, which amounts to a £19 increase on last year.

The last Artisan market, on August 31, boasted 24 traders compared with 14 in April.

Traders averaged £244 per week at the Saturday Market, which is a £137 increase on last year’s amount.

Mr Clough said the markets had a good summer, which was helped by the weather and the move into Bailey Street.

“There’s been a lot of interest, a lot of new traders trying out that new position,” he said.

He told members there were a lot of new traders in the Indoor Market and looked forward to seeing them getting established in the building.

He added wi-fi access in the building had been improved, and there had already been a “marked improvement”.

In his report, Mr Clough said more than 1,000 new IP addresses had been created to help ease congestion on the system.

Mr Clough also told how last month’s Oswestry Food and Drink Festival – which the town council supports – had proved a success.

“People came in their thousands to support the event and it was very enjoyable indeed,” he said.

“There was lots of good feedback from people visiting the town.”

Event organisers had emailed Mr Clough to thank council staff for their efforts over the weekend.